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Women certainly love men who are good with their hands. At least this is true of the heroine in Carla Cassidy's latest Lawmen of Black Rock novel, Tool Belt Defender. Brittany Grayson didn't know she'd be getting more than a carpenter when she hired hunky Alex Crawford, but she's certainly not complaining about it. Today, the author shares an insider's look at her new suspense-filled series romance and chats about her inspiration for this story — her own handyman husband. And don't miss your chance to win your own copy of Tool Belt Defender at the end of this post!
Every heroine wants a hot, handsome hero in her bed and there’s nothing wrong with that, but how capable is that hero when he crawls out from under the sheets?
When I started writing Tool Belt Defender, I knew I didn’t want my hero to be a cop or a military man. I wanted more of an ordinary man. Oh, he definitely had to be hot and a man with great hands…hands that could accomplish things besides caress the heroine with sweet seduction. My hero, Alex Crawford is handsome, sexy and a carpenter.
I have intimate knowledge of carpenters, I married one. He’s hot and handsome but he also builds things that have endurance, things that I cherish. When I was pregnant with our daughter he worked late at night to make me a beautiful wooden stool so I could rest my feet.
When we moved to the house where we now live, I wistfully said that I would love a gazebo off the large deck he’d already built. He set about making my wish come true and with every fall of the hammer my heart filled with more love for him.
Yes, I like a hot man in my bed, but I also like those handy men who can repair a garbage disposal, put together a table for my office, or build that gazebo where the two of us can sit together in the evenings and watch a sunset.
Tool Belt Defender is the fifth book in the Lawmen of Black Rock series. Brittany Grayson’s brothers have all found their happy endings, however Brittany is still suffering the trauma of being held captive for months by a madman. One of the things she’d promised herself if she survived was that she’d have a huge deck built on the back of her house, a place where she could entertain all her friends and loved ones.
Alex Crawford is just the man for the job. With his tool belt riding low on his lean hips and with broad shoulders, he agrees to build her deck, but will he by her side when danger once again stalks her?
I hope you enjoy Tool Belt Defender and I wish everyone a handy man like I found, a man who has not only taken care of the repair work around the house, but who has also taken very good care of my heart.
- Carla Cassidy
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Three readers will win a copy of Tool Belt Defender. To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling us what occupation you like a hero to have. Alternatively, you can email your answer here with your mailing address and the subject line "Carla Cassidy Giveaway." The giveaway ends January 6 and is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
You can pick up a copy of Tool Belt Defender in stores now. And you can always find the newest heroes with sexy occupations on our Everything Romance Page.
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shockingly a baker...lol...i
Submitted by LAK (not verified) on January 5, 2012 - 4:21pm.
shockingly a baker...lol...i think a man who can bake is sexy
Here's one of the shy guys
Submitted by J. Audrey Miller (not verified) on January 5, 2012 - 1:32pm.
I like guys who are writers or teachers - sensitive types!
Carla Cassidy Contest
Submitted by marlenebreakfield on January 4, 2012 - 6:22pm.
I like cowboys, policeman, military men, and carpenters work, too. I've even read a book with a trucker, who was totally yummy. As long as the hero has good qualities, he can work in one of those dirty jobs from the tv series.
Hero's Are Da BOMB!!!!!
Submitted by Alicia Jespersen (not verified) on January 4, 2012 - 5:09pm.
I would want my Hero to one of those that keeps his hero part a secret and does the right thin not expecting/wanting praise for doing it. I think I would want my hero to do what he wants, but if I had to choose I would probably say either a volunteer or an employee of an animal shelter.
Handymen and Toolbelts
Submitted by krblake on January 4, 2012 - 12:55am.
There's something about that combination that I find extremely sexy, and the fact that you tailored your hero from your own experience makes him even more intriguing. I wish you much success with Tool Belt Defender. It sounds like a fascinating read.
Tool Belt Defender Giveaway
Submitted by Robyn Tieman (not verified) on January 3, 2012 - 8:20am.
I love blue collar heros. The guy that can fix a car and still remembers to pick up flowers is too beautiful to pass up.
My favorite heros are cops
Submitted by Tammy Y (not verified) on January 1, 2012 - 11:40pm.
My favorite heros are cops and cowboys. I love your books Carla!
Call me spoiled
Submitted by Heather Snow books (not verified) on December 29, 2011 - 11:31pm.
But I love a man who can be both. Give me a man who knows his way around the boardroom, but then can come home and fix my car and I'm all over him. Or a man who looks sexy in a suit and tie but also in a pair of jeans, and that's my hero. Looking forward to your new book Carla.
I like occupations where the
Submitted by Na S. (not verified) on December 29, 2011 - 7:03pm.
I like occupations where the hero gets to be an everyday hero such as a doctor or firefighter. They save lives everyday and go about it in a very brave way.
Professions?
Submitted by AnneN (not verified) on December 29, 2011 - 3:34pm.
What a hottie! Can't wait to sink my teeth into your new hero! :) For me, there is a special appeal to someone who works with his hands. Mine is a millwright which means he welds, fixes, moves heavy equipment into impossible places and more. Somehow it seems he understands me better than I understand myself.
AnneN
Hands
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 29, 2011 - 4:55pm.
I deinitely like my hero to have working man hands, a little rough from the work he does...that's hot! Right?
Everyday Heroes
Submitted by Katie Moore (not verified) on December 29, 2011 - 1:20pm.
I would like to see a computer geek who is extremely well built, strong, sexy and who gives the impression a body builder or movie star. Then find out he can do anything with a computer and NASA and the CIA want him desperately to help them solve a major crises for the whole planet!!!!
Or maybe just a great looking mailman! Any occupation Carla comes up with will be a man to make your heart pound, your palms sweat, and your experience in the bedroom send you out of this world.
Hot Heroes
Submitted by SallyB (not verified) on December 29, 2011 - 12:17pm.
Can't wait to read Carla's new book! Her heroes are always hot. I can definitely see the appeal of a man who can build things, repair things, take care of things. If I ever meet a man who can build a deck and repair my car. I might consider marrying him. If he was a nerd, too, that would seal the deal.
everyday heroes
Submitted by TABBY (not verified) on December 29, 2011 - 6:36am.
I actually like the idea of a man with skills of a truck driver or an attorney being a hero.A man on the road leaving and coming back to a woman sounds intriguing to me.He realizes he has someone to love and comes back to her with much passion.
Wish I would have known...
Submitted by Emulator (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 11:23pm.
the difference between handy and handsie back in college. I might have chosen differently. But I doubt it. There is something special and endearing about a man who TRIES, despite having no talent whatsoever in the handy man category.
Emulator
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 11:48pm.
LOL! There is definitely a difference between handy and handsie. Some of us are fortunate enough to get both in our men! I definitely agree that there is totally something endearing about a man who tries anything in an effort to please. Whether it works or not isn't important, it's the effort that counts!
And I want to thank everyone who has stopped by here and posted today. I really appreciate it!
I really don't know about a
Submitted by Deborah N (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 10:45pm.
I really don't know about a particular profession. I like very intelligent, educated, alpha males. They can be found in a wide variety of professions. : )
Heroes
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 11:10pm.
Deborah,
I also love a sense of humor in a man. He has to be able to laugh at life and at himself. I find that extremely sexy!
Sexy Occupations
Submitted by Barbara Elness (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 7:57pm.
I love ranchers and cowboys, and novelists, they're fun to read about.
Carla's handyman
Submitted by Michele Grabber (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 6:50pm.
Can't wait to meet him Carla! Your stories are always a great read!!
Carla's handyman
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 7:22pm.
Michele,
Thanks! I try to please all my readers all the time but if there's one thing I've learned in this business it's that sometimes that's impossible. Hopefully you'll love reading this one as much as I loved writing it!
A cowboy
Submitted by BrooklynShoeBabe on December 28, 2011 - 6:28pm.
or an Australian rancher. Don't know why I like those career options. I'm a New YOrker.
A Cowboy
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 7:24pm.
Ah, you're a New Yorker! That's exactly why you love cowboys! And I'm married to a New Yorker who I brought out West, but he definitely isn't a cowboy.
Tool Belt Defender
Submitted by Saranna DeWylde on December 28, 2011 - 6:15pm.
It sounds like a fantastic book, Carla. I can't wait to read it.
I sort of identify manhood with tools since my father is a man who knows how to do everything. :)
Tool Belt Defender
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 7:26pm.
Saranna,
My father was a man who didn't know which end of a hammer to use. His tools all fit neatly in a shoebox. My husband was a welcome fit into the family. He knows how to do stuff!
And thanks for the shout-out on Facebook. If I knew more about this technology stuff I would have thought about it...maybe...
carla contest
Submitted by katkirk136 on December 28, 2011 - 6:05pm.
I think a lawyer or doctor are good occupations
Lawyers and Doctors
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 7:29pm.
Doctors are easy to make heroes. They are people who dedicate their lives to helping others. Lawyers sometimes get a bad rap, but there are plenty of good ones around!
Hero
Submitted by Diane S. (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 5:38pm.
I'm not picky, he can be a doctor, a lawyer a paramedic or a carpenter, plumber or electrician. Not picky at all!
Hero
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 7:30pm.
Diane,
As long as he's hot and loving and sensitive when he needs to be, right?!
A man who works with his
Submitted by jbeth28 on December 28, 2011 - 5:33pm.
A man who works with his hands is always appealing (which is not to say that he doesn't need a brain too.) Carpenters sound wonderful, but I've always been more of a sucker for a man in uniform. Give me a fire fighter hero and I'll be a happy girl. I would have to agree with other postings though, a man's heart and personality are far more important than any occupation.
A man with great hands
Submitted by Katy Madison (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 5:10pm.
Really, that covers everything that matters, doesn't it? Looking forward to reading this.
Hot Heroes with Good Hands
Submitted by Janette Kenny (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 4:22pm.
Oh, I so love a carpenter! You are one lucky lady there. Men who have good hands make the best heroes, and best all around guys. Love your novels! I'm ordering this book now!
tool belt defender occupation
Submitted by sherry sirna (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 3:33pm.
I'd like to see someone who is a self made millionaire from some gadget he developed or investments. But instead of living on wall street he lives on a run down horse ranch he's trying to fit up.
Tool Belt Defender
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 4:12pm.
Sherry,
Ah, a millionaire cowboy! What could be better!!
Handy heroes
Submitted by LauraP (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 3:06pm.
Can't wait to read this one. Who can resist a hot guy with a good heart and practical skills?
Handy Heroes
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 4:14pm.
Laura,
And don't forget that tool belt riding low on slim hips. Sigh. I do love a guy with a tool belt, oh yeah and a good heart is important, too!
Hot Heroes With Good Hands
Submitted by Bobbie Cole (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 3:04pm.
Carpenters, definitely! Sports medicine guys...physical therapists. Construction workers. Lumberjacks and loggers. Park rangers. Mercenaries in jungles. (I've been single too long, heh? Need a Carla Cassidy fix.)
Good blog post!
Hot Heroes With Good Hands
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 4:15pm.
Bobbie,
LOL! They all sound good too me, too. Maybe I've been married too long!
What a fortunate woman you
Submitted by Polly McCrillis (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 3:00pm.
What a fortunate woman you are, having a loving handyman in your own home! Tool Belt Defender sounds like fun, Carla. Any It's-too-hot-in-here scenes that might have that good looking carpenter whipping off his shirt??!
Carpenter's shirt
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 6:46pm.
Polly,
You know that carpenter's shirts are meant to come off. Hammering and hefting wood builds fine muscles and what good is a hero who doesn't show them??!
Tool Belt Defender
Submitted by derekd (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 2:56pm.
Hey Carla, TBD sounds like a great read. I've known guys like Alex all my life. Though I've done my fair share of home improvement projects, at this point, I'd rather pay a pro to do it right than for me to muck it up.
You are right, heroes can come from anywhere. I like seeing writers using guys from professions other than just the typical alpha vocations. I wish you success with Tool Belt Defender!
Tool Belt Defender
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 6:50pm.
Derek,
I definitely believe true heroes come from all walks of life and sometimes an ordinary, everyday kind of man is the forever man that a woman wants.
I love alpha heroes (probably because I married an Italian alpha man) but I definitely think a true hero is built from the inside out. The first time my husband growled at me to put on a coat on a wintry day when I was running to the mailbox I had to remember that what he meant by his growl was that he cared about me and didn't want me to get cold or sick. With some heroes you have to look past their words and see their heart intent...that's where the real diamond resides.
Everyday Heroes
Submitted by Columbus (not verified) on December 28, 2011 - 12:50pm.
I like your concept of everyday guys as heroes. You have a list long list to select from. One I think would be interesting is an Accountant, after all they get so little respect.
Everyday Heroes
Submitted by Carla Cassidy on December 28, 2011 - 4:18pm.
Columbus,
Actually, I think I've written a book with an accountant hero before. As far as I'm concerned an accountant can be quite charming and sexy. I think any job can be sexy and hero-like - it really does have to do with the heart that beats beneath the dress shirt or uniform or T-shirt.
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